The Disconnect Between Law and Reality: Women’s Rights in Afghanistan
Abstract
The article identifies some of the barriers to the achievement of women’s rights in Afghanistan, specifically pointing out the discrepancy between the legal provisions and the problems that Afghan women face in reality. The paper states that, although there exist constitutional and international commitments for achieving gender equality, weak implementation and socio-cultural barriers make any progress difficult. The legal rights of women in Afghanistan will be assessed in terms of a qualitative methodology for analyzing the legal framework, implementation problems, and cultural barriers to the exercise of women’s rights. Besides identifying some of the discrepancies between laws and traditional practices in Afghanistan, the paper will also identify other factors that create an environment hostile to women’s rights, including corruption, among others. This report analyzes the problems surrounding the attainment of women’s rights in Afghanistan from 2021. These results indicate that gender inequality in Afghanistan has been affected by a combination of factors related to laws, policies, and culture, leading to an inability for these laws to reach those in need. In order to counter such problems, a holistic approach would be necessary, going beyond changes in laws to building up the capacity of law enforcement agencies, increasing legal consciousness, and facilitating cultural change. Without this, legal protection itself may not be enough for ensuring women’s rights in Afghanistan.
